David's 5th year of life was a huge one for the bud.  He has grown up so much in the last year and blown us away in so many ways.  Over the past year David lost his first tooth, learned to swim, ride a bike, and read!  He is one proud boy and though often tentative at first, has surprised us with his confidence in the face of new milestones.  He was a fish in the pool this summer and never missed a beat in swim lessons.  This completely shocked his Mama considering how cautious he has been in the past.  David also got a bike for his birthday.  It took him a few weeks to attempt tackling this new feat, he felt the bike was bigger than he expected it to be.  However, the balance bike has paid off in full.  After 3 times around the parking lot with Dad's assistance, he took off on his own and never looked back.  The boy has never fallen and is in love with his new found independence.  Becoming a beginner reader has completely taken me by surprise.  He led the brigade on this and began requesting help in that department.  Before we knew it, he had blown through a beginner's reader set and was picking up on new words on his own everyday.  To say the least, he is a quick learner!!

In many ways, I cannot believe my first born is 5.  This was the first birthday that really hit me hard emotionally.  He is a true boy and any ounce of toddlerhood he was once held is long gone.  His interests have remained pretty consistent.  Legos, police, army, and now superheroes.  It is amazing how quickly he can assemble a new set of legos and follow the directions with no help at all.  David is also costume obsessed and immediately strips down after school into some sort of get up.  Though he can play extremely well on his own, he has graduated to a full rough and tumble boy as he runs around the house jumping off furniture and making huge messes with my couch cushions.  He loves to play pretend and has an incredible imagination.

David continues to prove himself to be the most mature, responsible child on the block.  We often refer to him as geriatric because the way he processes things is just so far beyond a typical 5 year old.  He is very concerned with being responsible, doing the right thing, pleasing his parents, and keeping everyone else in line.  He is a man of justice and loves for his younger more precocious sister to be put in her place by Mommy or Daddy.  Funnily, I often get a pat on the back after disciplining EM!  This year he has been asking for extra homework at school and really matured in his desire to take care of things around the house.  He LOVES to help his Dad to any sort of project and will clean his room anytime he is asked.  We will see if this lasts into his tween years :).

Last and not least I would like to record the fact that David accepted Christ as his Savior right before Christmas.  It was a really special and sweet night I hope to always remember.  We have presented the gospel before and his need for salvation, but he has not seemed interested until recently.  After praying to receive Jesus, he was overcome with such excitement.  He could not stop hugging and kissing me, it was really precious.  All this to say, his childlike interest in the things of the Lord has really encouraged my faith.  I pray that he continues to grow in his understanding of God's love and redemptive grace.  What a year for our boy!!  Thank you Lord for bringing him this far and equipping us as his parents to raise him in your truths.